A commission for the aesthetic approval of buildings and public objects on Thursday authorized the iconography of a commemorative gold coin bearing the image of Donald Trump, which will be minted to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.

A commission for the aesthetic approval of buildings and public objects gave its approval on Thursday to the iconography of a commemorative gold coin bearing the image of Donald Trump, which will be minted to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The US Treasury confirmed to AFP the favorable vote of the Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were all appointed by Donald Trump. After several different designs were considered, the Commission finally approved a motif depicting, on the obverse, the US president standing with his fists clenched and resting on a desk, his face resolute. On the reverse, the collector's coin shows an eagle, the symbol of the United States, according to a document published by the Commission.

The selling price of the coin has not yet been announced, but equivalent items are offered at over $1000 by the United States Mint.

"No portrait is more iconic than Donald Trump"

“As we approach our 250th anniversary, we are excited to prepare coins that symbolize the spirit of our country and our democracy,” said U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach in a statement to AFP. “There is no more iconic portrait for these coins than our President Donald Trump,” he added. He noted that two other coins, a one-dollar coin and a one-ounce gold coin (approximately 31 grams), are also under consideration.

At the end of February, the CCAC (Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee), another committee responsible for providing advisory opinions on proposed new coins, refused to include the review of the coin depicting Donald Trump on its agenda.

Since the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776, "no country in the world has minted coins bearing the image of a democratically elected leader during their term," commented Donald Scarinci, a member of the CCAC (Council for the Coordination of Cultural Affairs). "Only nations ruled by kings or dictators put the image of their leader on their coins," he added. When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond. The design presented last fall for the one-dollar coin featured Donald Trump on both the obverse and reverse sides, a very rare combination for official currency. On the reverse, the American president appeared with his fist raised, surrounded by the words "FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT."